Freedom Child assumed command shortly after the start and splashed clear to a rousing 13-1/4length victory in Saturday’s 59th running of the
Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan at Belmont Park, earning himself a shot at the June 8 Belmont Stakes.

The 3-year-old Malibu Moon ridgling, who was declared a
non-starter in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial on April 6 after being
compromised at the break, got off a beat slow
but quickly collected himself to lead his eight rivals through
fractions of 23.51, 46.67 and 1:10.98 over the sloppy, sealed track.
Edging away on the turn, Freedom Child straightened for home with an
eight-length advantage and easily drew off under jockey
Luis Saez and hit the wire in 1:49.09 for 1 1/8 miles.

“The plan was to be on the lead and luckily he was able to
quicken up leaving the gate and get to an easy lead,” said Tom
Albertrani, who trains Freedom Child for West
Point Thoroughbreds, St. Elias Stable and Spendthrift Farm. “So, it
worked out well. I was very pleased to see him win like that. I didn’t
think he would actually draw away by that many lengths. Once I saw him
on the lead like that I was pretty confident at
the half-mile pole by the way he was traveling.”

Sent off at 7-2, Freedom Child returned $9.20 for a $2 win
wager. With the winner’s purse of $120,000, he increased his earnings to
$167,072 and extended his record
to 2-1-1 from six starts.

“I think we’re going to the Belmont Stakes [Grade 1, 1 ½ miles,
$1 million] in about four weeks,” said Terry Finley, president of West
Point Thoroughbreds. “I hope [Kentucky
Derby winner] Orb runs well in the Preakness and the whole world is
watching on [June 8] for the Belmont Stakes, and I hope we upset the
apple cart.”

Saint Vigeur, who defeated Freedom Child in a maiden race on
February 9 at Gulfstream Park, finished second, with Go Get the Basil 2 ¼
lengths back in third. Abraham,
the 5-2 favorite, was fourth, followed by Incognito, Fear the Kitten,
My Name is Michael, Narvaez, and Infinite Magic.

i forecast 1 week ago that Freedom child will take Petar Pan stakes, because i bet $100.00 dollars in the wood and having bad break, he continued to recover space very rapidly but at 1/16 pole he pulled out, ifrom that they i have realize that he is just as strong as his brother ORB, they have same sire Malibu Moon, it makes me sure that ORB will take the triple crown this year.